By World class superbike action, is anticipated, during the Spring Cup National Road Races.
Current Steve Henshaw international gold cup champion Dean Harrison, will start as one of the pre race favourites, for victories in the solo A, senior and the Bob Smith Spring Cup.
Returning to ZX10R Kawasaki machinery with his new team Silicone Engineering Racing, the rider from Bradford, has great memories of the last time he piloted kwaka’s around the mount.
Back to back Cock Of The North feature victories in 2013 and 2014, Darran Lindsay trophy superbike success in 2013, becoming the second fastest rider in history at Scarborough, where just some of the great moments.
At present he holds the titles of pretty much all major Oliver’s Mount titles, apart from one the spring cup.
Will this change on Sunday? time will tell, as the competition is world class.
Lee Johnston, six times at present an international road race winner, has in recent years, developed into one of the mount’s undoubted stars.
Remaining on S1000RR BMW machinery, which he enjoyed great success with in 2015, he has the eureka factor about him, to go unbeaten this weekend on East Coast Racing’s S1000RR BMW.
The same notion applies to Devitt RC Express Racing’s Ivan Lintin. Runner up in last years spring cup, Ivan went onto enjoy in 2015, another top class season on the roads.
Without a doubt, the main highlight was lightweight TT victory, as he proved his prowess around the Mountain Course.
A Scarborough specialist, it would not surprise anyone if he repeated his heroics of the 2014 gold cup meeting, when he went unbeaten in the 1000cc races.
Devitt RC Express Racing team mate Alan Bonner, is hugely looking forward to competing for the second time at Oliver’s Mount.
Although his experience at the iconic road race circuit is limited, he cannot be discounted from springing a surprise or two.
2014 Duke Road Race Rankings champion James Cowton, is one to watch on the Cowton Racing by Radcliffe’s S1000RR BMW.
Photo by Mixed Bag Photography
More known at present for his exploits in the supersport and super twin classes, James has the pure roads craft to establish himself as a world class competitor in the marque class.
Dan Hegarty impressed many in 2015, in how quickly he adapted to the mount.
Running his own teams RTR Motorcycles/Classic Joinery ZX10R Kawasaki, he is in my opinion a definite contender for Bob Smith Spring Cup victory.
Reigning junior Manx Grand Prix winner Billy Redmayne, has the pedigree be in contention for results of the highest quality, as he pilots The Peoples Bike Team backed ZX10R Kawasaki.
Additional notable entries include Mark Goodings, Ben Wylie on the factory BB3 Bimota, Mick Goodings, Tom Weeden, Darren Cooper, Jamie Coward, Davy Morgan, Dave Hewson, Michael Russell, Matthew Rees and super twins Manx Grand Prix winner Rob Hodson.
Former spring cup winner Steve Mercer, is definitely one to watch. Set to be amongst the leading Honda mounted competitors, his entry adds another touch of star quality, to a top class line up.
Seasoned Scarborough exponents Gary Graves, Brian Greenfield, Adrian Harrison, Rodger Wibberley, Paul Gartland, Tom Robinson, Colin Croft and rising star Brad Vicars all show the strength in depth of the entry.
Newcomers entered include Mark Thompson, Paul Marley, Ben Warmington, Jamie Williams, Jason Corcoran, Billy Mellor and Mark Bamford.
In the 2010’s to date only two riders have claimed spring cup honours, they are Ryan Farquhar 2010, 2011 and 2012, Guy Martin 2013, 2014 and 2015.
With both Ryan and Guy non entrants, it paves the way for a new spring cup champion.
So will win the 2016 Bob Smith Spring Cup, will Dean Harrison open his roads challenge with Silicone Engineering Racing in the best possible way?, will we see a surprise winner? and could conditions play a significant role?
All these questions and many more will be answered on Sunday, as the blue riband race of the Spring Cup National Road Races, enters the horizon at Oliver’s Mount.
Words by Stevie Rial
